DefinitelyDressage.com

I have longstanding coccyx pain and for some unknown reason, it has gotten worse in the last 6 months. I have been imaged to death and the coccyx appears normal but nevertheless, sitting (of any kind) hurts . It really sucks when it hurts enough that I won't ride or if I do, it is a damned short ride. Lately I have just settled for riding at the walk. I seldom can tolerate (assuming I want to sit down for any amount of time in the rest of my life) riding more than 30 minutes 2x/week.

I noticed an ad in DT that Prestige has a new saddle (X-breath Dressage) that has a hole cut out where the coccyx resides when you are in the saddle. It looks like a tree shape that would fit my horse. Anyone have experience with Prestige saddles? Not sure it would work for the butt issue but it looks promising in relieving any pressure in that area. Of course, no saddle fitters in this area...at all so will have to do long distance if I decide to give it a try.

Truthfully, I am about to the point where if I can't ride comfortably, horse may be moving on. I would hate that but I can't stand having a horse I can't use...no fault of hers. I already do lots of ground work/long reining and such but have foot issues that limit what I can do there too. Yes, I am falling apart but would like to keep at it as long as I can...on top of the horse preferably.

TIA
Susan

I have a Prestige "Lucky'... it's their Pony Dressage saddle and both myself and the little guy absolutely love it.
The quality is wonderful... even though this is the 'back to basics' model.
I actually like it better than my Schleese !

I know several others who have Prestige...both Dressage and jump....with no complaints.
I am actually looking at a used Jump saddle.

I have no experience with the model that you are looking into.
Where is the nearest Dealer to you?

There is a dealer in the Seattle area. Not real close but I am used to doing things long distance. I shot them off an email yesterday so hope to hear something tomorrow. I hope to get some tracings done this week. I'm not sure it will solve the issue but having a butt hole ( ) is a step in the right direction...for me.

Susan

Wow, that is a cool saddle design. I think it is worth trying one out to see if it helps you! I've only ridden in "normal" Prestige saddles and have found them comfortable.

I'm sorry you're dealing with a lot of discomfort and haven't been able to enjoy riding very much.

You might also try the new Stubben with the Biomex seat. It has an indent down the middle to accommodate the coccyx bone. They are much more cushier than they used to be and they have the upswept panels that the Prestige has. Beware that the Prestige tends to size their seats generously. In other words, the seat feels a little tighter than other models, not just due to deepness.
Have you tried going up a size in the seat? Maybe you are sitting on the slope of the cantle instead of the deepest part of the seat which might be causing a pressure point.

Thanks for the info tempi20017. I have tried the Stubben w/Biomex years ago. It really didn't have enough relief for me. I have kind of a square mushy butt . I'm not sure the Prestige will work either. It is going to have to have the hole in the right place but at least it has a bonafide hole. This particular saddle actually looks to have a more open seat than most dressage buckets (ah, saddles) these days. You are right that I cannot contact the upswept part of the cantle which is why most "modern" saddles are out. They are too deep and I just don't fit them right. My previous saddle was basically flat and very open. I tricked it out with a pad with a cut out and it was still too big (I lost some weight ) and I finally sent it on. I am currently riding a treeless saddle with a an open, soft and comfortable seat if it weren't for the tailbone poking something under it that gets angry.

I actually had a good ride today. Able to w-t-c and it didn't ramp up the pain .

Susan

Sommer Saddles too come with a female anatomy option. It's a hole in the tree (just the tree, not the seat). They call it the "Venus solution".

While I agree that Prestige are great, quality saddles, unless you horse is the TB-ish kind (narrow through chest/ribcage) you might run into issues later one, since prestige trees are quite "V" shaped.

Thanks AmityBee. Something to look at (the Sommer). Luckily (??) mare is Andalusian/QH. Only 15.2 and certainly not barrel shaped but she does have a nice spring to her ribs. She has always needed a wide tree.

Susan

Prestige saddle are beautiful quality saddles. I'm familiar with the older models which didn't work for me. Probably issue with the twist being too wide which caused me hip pain - petite rider.

Ask Helen Brew - she has ridden in the one with the hole if I recall correctly.

Thanks redsoxluvr except other people's experience of riding that particular saddle isn't going to tell me much since I am so speshul ( ). I am just going to have to get one here, grit my teeth and try it. I should be able to tell very rapidly if it will work for me or not. I have been very busy between work, elderly parent sitting and the community yard sale . I haven't even had time to call either of the west coast vendors that carry them.

However, I have ridden my horse 3 times in the last week. Since October, I have pretty much only been able to tolerate maybe once a week so at the moment, things are looking up a bit. I have my current saddle tricked out with a cutout Thinline pad under a Thinline seat saver. Even managed w/t/c. Still waiting on the next doctor (pain specialist) . Apparently they review your records and check with the Board of Pharmacy on narcotic usage then decide if they want to see you or not. Peachy. I just want to discuss a specific injection to see if that might get me some relief. Drugs are going to be of little to no help at all so we can just skip that.

Susan